Summary
When Bethesda releasedThe Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivionin 2006, the studio didn’t get around to adding every single aspect of the game they had originally planned. We all know about the cut content and half-finished mechanics, like the obscure goblin raiding feature.
However, there are also lore considerations that didn’t quite make it into the finished product. One of these was the idea of a divide between Imperials from Nibenay and Imperials from Colovia. Although regions of Tamriel can seem like monocultures at times, Bethesda intended to include smaller cultures within each region.
In Cyrodill, there is supposed to be a cultural divide between those from Nibenay, who consider themselves true subjects of the Empire, and those from Colovia, who have a more autonomous and aloof attitude towards the Empire. This wasn’t explicitly referenced in the original release of Oblivion, outside a couple of voice lines.
Origins Have Been Added
However, withOblivion Remastered, each of the game’s races now has two distinct origins that you can choose between in the character creator. The origins options for Imperials? You guessed it: Nibenay and Colovia.
The description of Nibenay reads, “You are a true Imperial, born into the heart of the Empire. The number of cities and their size led you to travel hastily.” For Colovia, it reads, “Colovia inhabitants, such as yourself, are known for their autonomy, including toward the rest of the Empire. You inherited the willfulness of your forebears.” The full list of origins can be found below.
Argonian: Arnesia or Thornmarsh
Breton: Systres or High Rock
Dark Elf: Vvardenfell or Mainland [Morrowind]
High Elf: Auridon or Summerset Isle
Imperial: Nibenay or Colovia
Khajiit: Anequina or Pellitine
Nord: Western [Skyrim] or Eastern [Skyrim]
Orc: Stronghold or Orsinium
Redguard: Dragontain Mountains or Alik’r Desert
Wood Elf: Grahtwood or Reaper’s March
Each of these origins contains a lore tidbit about the area your character came from. This feature is a nice nod to something Bethesda wanted to do with the original release of Oblivion.
Oblivion Remastered is available now on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC.
